The effect of alternating steady-state walking technique on estimatedVO 2max values of the Rockport Fitness Walking Test in collegestudents
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The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in steady-state walking technique between repeated trials of the Rockport Fitness Walking Test (RW) would affect estimated VO 2max values. Twenty-four male and thirty-seven female college students (n=61), ages 18-39 years, volunteered as subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned to complete two steady-state walking trials of the RW on nonconsecutive days utilizing either normal walking technique or an aerobic walking technique during the pretest and the opposite technique for the posttest. Estimates of VO 2max were calculated using gender and age-appropriate equations and expressed as both absolute (L/min) and relative (mL/kg/min). Data were analyzed using the total group (all subjects) and by gender. Initial results using repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant differences for either absolute (p>0.53 or higher) or relative (p>0.32 or higher) estimated VO 2max values for all groups between the two trials. Further analysis included estimated reliability using an intra-class test-retest correlation (2-way ANOVA) for absolute (Total; R=0.99, Male; R=0.97, Female; R=0.92) and relative (Total; R=0.96, Male; R=0.97, Female; R=0.93) values. It was concluded that walking technique and the use of a steady-state walking pace does not adversely influence the reliability of estimating maximal oxygen consumption using the RW.
